FAQs

Why can’t I just send my CV and cover letter?

Curricula vitae (or C.V.s) are academic tools used to get academic positions. See our page on the differences and why an industry-friendly resume will be more effective if you really want to transition out of academia.

Why don’t I get responses when I apply to job ads that look like a perfect match for me?

Most scientists apply for positions using an academic curriculum vitae (C.V.) format, or a hybrid version found online. Neither appropriately communicate the contributions and results of their time spent on a project or how they specifically contributed. Hiring managers are often unable to decipher who did what, why it was significant, and how your knowledge and experience will benefit their program. ScientificResumes.com was created with input from industry scientists, hiring managers, recruiters and management so that your resume will clearly communicate what you know, what you’ve done, and how you will be an asset.

Why do all the job ads say, “industry experience preferred?”

The truth is, doing science in industry is different than doing it in academia or private research institutes. Generally, it takes someone about a year to adjust. Some never do. To reduce the chances of making a bad hire, companies prefer those who have already made the transition and know that they like it. Candidates who have already been through the “learning curve” also save the company time in training. Using the PRE Resume Worksheet® supplied from ScientificResumes.com you will be able to make your resume more relevant to industry and more appropriate for positions. That goes a long way to overcoming a hiring manager’s initial fears.

Why not just use an online resume format?

Creating an industry-friendly resume is more than just getting the right format. A scientific, industry-friendly resume addresses and highlights what’s important to a hiring manager in industry rather than an academic placement committee.

How do I make my resume more results-oriented rather than focused on my responsibilities or research experience?

It’s easy to point to publications as the result of the time you spent, but publications are insufficient. First, they don’t explain what your specific contributions were. Secondly, they lack other meaningful results important to a hiring manager (i.e., how you impacted the project, what you initiated, implemented, etc.) The Position-Results-Edge (PRE) Resume Worksheet ® will lead you to identifying other results which will help make your resume more industry-friendly.

Should I use a profile or objective? What’s the difference?

Objectives state what you want. Often they result in NOT being considered for a position for which you are qualified and interested. “Looking for a scientific leadership role where I can contribute . . .” may get your resume discarded if the role does not have a supervisory or “leadership” component to it. Better to use a Profile which will frame your knowledge and expertise in a meaningful way for the hiring manager. Profiles are like Abstracts to a scientific paper. A profile summarizes what the reader will get more details about if they read further. Using the ScientificResumes.com approach, you can build a targeted, accurate, yet flexible profile that can quickly be adapted to a particular job opening.

Should I limit my resume to one or two pages?

Short resumes are expected for many roles (business development, sales, …) but a scientist’s resume may go substantially beyond that due to publications, patents, etc. ScientificResumes.com will show you how to present the most important information in the first two pages and provide the proof of your claims in any remaining pages.

What if I don't have any (many) publications?

Publications are not the only thing important to an industry hiring manager. ScientificResumes.com PRE Resume Worksheet® will help you identify and articulate your accomplishments and results, whether or not they resulted in prestigious publications. And you will get help in how to communicate them effectively on paper.

I’m a foreign national. How do I handle my visa status?

This is always a tricky subject and, depending on your visa, there are ways to address it. Sometimes it is best left for future discussions once you have your “foot in the door.” Handling this, foreign education, training, citizenship, and similar questions are covered in the download for creating a scientific resume.

Can a recruiter help me get a job?

Recruiters are not very helpful until you have some industry experience. Since not everyone is a good “fit” in industry, companies don’t like to pay a recruiter and take a chance that you won’t like the environment and demands, or that you won’t fit their culture. After a year or two in industry, a recruiter will be much more helpful keeping your career on track.

“The process allows you to distill the most valuable asset(s) gained from each professional experience and use it for resume writing–and much more.” –Cawas (postdoc, currently interviewing in industry)